Made this reply to a chap on a forum in the UK wanting to see an anechoic frequency response graph. Gave me a reason to go back and find Danny Richie's study posted here in '07. Thanks, Danny. To wit . .
Hi, Matty, this is the best I can produce. This study is made on axis using some two way standmount speakers made by Danny Richie of GR Research along with his succinct comment. Danny is also one of the principle designers of the crossover used in the Usher brand of speakers. In the high end on axis there is no change to the test speaker (I am the blue line) but in the area of the crossover (2.2kHz) and appreciably beyond a smoothing of peaks and valleys can be seen. There is a more linear transition from the mid into the treble and that has benefits to transparency and tonality. This is audible.
well, doo-doo, it didn't transpose!
"It sounded better too. I recommend it."
40 degrees off axis I can tell you that there is a gentle downward slope above the crossover. As stated in a reply above, waveforms hitting our side walls and being reflected to our seat are reduced in level. You can see/hear deeper into the soundfield and appreciate more of what is there because it is being less obscured or misshapen.
There is also a benefit in the time domain. Short and spreading waveforms that would otherwise be reflected by our naked baffles and edges and arriving out of time and phase where we sit "see" the organic wool instead and are absorbed.
